Though this book deals with communism only in part—and then primarily in relation to the broader issues with which I amconcerned—the Research Institute on Communist Affairs of Columbia University provided me with invaluable researchassistance and with a congenial and stimulating setting. My colleagues at the Institute little realize how very helpful theyhave been in the gradual process of shaping my ideas, testing my views, and enlarging my perspectives. The manuscript wasread and criticized by a number of friends and colleagues. I am especially grateful to Professor Samuel P. Huntington for histrenchant criticisms and very helpful recommendations; to Professor Albert A. Mavrinac, who maintained our friendly tradi-tion of his questioning my arguments and of forcing me to rethink some of my propositions; to Mrs. Christine Dodson, theformer Administrative Assistant of the Research Institute, who prepared a very constructive and highly perceptive chapter-length critique of the entire draft; and to Professor Alexander Erlich for steering me away from some economic pitfalls. I amalso most obliged and grateful to Miss Sophia Sluzar, currently the Administrative Assistant, who very ably supervised theover-all preparation of the manuscript and who earlier was instrumental in preparing the tables and assembling the neededdata. Miss Toby Trister, my research assistant, was indefatigable in exposing my inaccuracies, in filling bibliographic gaps,and in completing the research. Miss Dorothy Rodnite, Miss Michelle Elwyn, and Mr. Myron Gutmann amiably andefficiently—even when under great pressures of time—devoted their energies to the completion of the manuscript. To all of them I owe a debt which I am pleased to acknowledge.I also wish to note my obligation to Mr. Marshall Best of The Viking Press, on whose experience and wise counsel I oftenrelied, and to Mr. Stanley Hochman for his sensitive editorial assistance.A special mention is due to my wife. In all my writing I have never come across a more conscientious reader, a moreferocious critic, and a more determined—dare I say obstinate?—perfectionist. I have no hesitation in saying, though onlynow I say it with relief, that any merit this essay may have is in large measure due to her efforts.Z.B. October 1969

New Social Patterns................................................................................................................................10Social Explosion/Implosion .....................................................................................................................11Global Absorption...................................................................................................................................13

The American Impact..............................................................................................................................15 New Imperialism?...................................................................................................................................18

The Quest for Equality.............................................................................................................................47 Syncretic Belief.......................................................................................................................................48

COMMUNISM: THE PROBLEM OF RELEVANCE................................................................................52

The Necessity of Stalinism.......................................................................................................................53 Imperial Pacification...............................................................................................................................55

The Pace and Thrust of Progress.............................................................................................................79The Uncertainty of Progress....................................................................................................................81